What is DE Lab?

Disciplined Entrepreneurship Lab (DE Lab) offers students the opportunity to enhance and apply their understanding of the fundamentals of entrepreneurship by engaging in a full-time project with a startup over a period of 3-4 weeks. The course builds on the academic framework of Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup and its application in a real-world environment.

Potential projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Identifying new markets
  • Entering new markets
  • Launching a product
  • Developing a sales strategy
  • Providing general support to the startup over the course of the project.

Students may also provide general support to the startup over the course of the lab.

Information for Students

The class provides students with a real-life application of the disciplined entrepreneurship framework by working with a startup of their choice for 3-4 weeks throughout January and early February.

Key dates for students include a kick-off call in early January (virtual, via Zoom) and a final presentation (timing tbd, but most likely during the first week of classes post IAP).

How many credits is the class?
The class is 6 credits

Does the internship have to be in person or can it be virtual?
The set up of the internship will depend on your final agreement with the host company

Can I source my own company to work for?
Yes! Students are encouraged to source their own host companies to maximize their learning from the class. Companies can sign up using this link.

When will the list of host companies be published?
We are planning to share the list of host companies by mid November.

Is DE Lab open to non-MBA / non-Sloan students?
Yes, DE Lab is open to students outside the MBA program and also outside of Sloan.

Do I have to be in person for the kick-off call?
The kick-off call will be hosted on Zoom

What is the expected workload?
In general DE Lab requires you to work with a startup for 40hrs/week over a period of three weeks

What are the deliverables for the class?
Students are required to attend the kick-off presentation, submit a midterm reflection memo (2-3 pages), and do a final presentation (5 minutes, 5 slides)

What is the structure of the final presentation?
The final presentation will be a 5-minute, 5 slides presentation. Further instructions will be made available at a later stage.

What is the format of the final presentation?
The final presentation will be conducted in person. However, in case of class conflicts, students can send a pre-recorded video.

Can I work for my own startup?
Unfortunately no, DE Lab does not allow students to work on their own startup as part of the class.

What is the matching process?
Students will be required to reach out to their startup of choice and agree on the structure of their DE Lab internship individually. This also applies to companies that are included on the host company list.

At what stages and from what industries are the companies?
There is no limitation with regard to the industry and past startups have covered a wide array of different industries. In terms of stage, DE Lab is primarily focused on startups in pre-seed, seed, and series A stages.

Can I get paid for my internship?
No, DE Lab requires the internship to be strictly academic and does not allow for any kind of compensation. You will receive 6 academic credits upon completion of the lab.

Who can I contact with further questions?
Please reach out to Janice Lam (janicelk@mit.edu) and Kwang Jun Lee (klee21@mit.edu).

Information for Host Companies

DE Lab is hosted by Bill Aulet and Paul Cheek from the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and offers you the opportunity to work with a student intern from MIT on a real life project and to build connections with entrepreneurial-minded MIT students.

The project will take place during January and students typically work 40hrs/week for 3-4 weeks with their startup of choice. Students will receive a list of host startups and reach out to their preferred companies by mid November.

Companies can sign-up for the lab using this link. (Please note that, as students will select independently which startup to work for, you are not guaranteed to be matched with a student just by signing up for the lab).

When does the internship take place?
The internship will be conducted during the MIT IAP period, which is running from January until early February. The exact length and timing of the internship can be decided individually between host companies and students.

What is the format of the internship?
Students typically work with their host companies 40hrs/week for a period of 3-4 weeks. The details are to be agreed upon between the host company and the student on an individual basis. The internship can take place either virtually or in person, which is also up to the discretion of the parties involved.

How does the matching process work?
Students will be provided with a list of interested companies by mid November. Afterwards, they will start to reach out to their preferred companies to begin the interview process for the internship. Please note that by just signing up for the lab, you are not guaranteed to receive a student intern.

Do I have to pay my intern?
No, DE Lab requires the project to be purely academic and does not allow for any kind of compensation for the student.

Do I have to have a specific project to participate in DE Lab?
No, companies do not have to have a specific project in mind to participate in DE Lab. However, to facilitate the matching process with students, our sign-up form includes a short paragraph about the work the student will be doing over the course of the lab.

What kind of companies is DE Lab looking for?
DE Lab is open to companies from all kinds of industries. Given our focus on entrepreneurship, we generally focus on companies in pre-seed, seed, or series A stages. However, if your company is slightly more mature you are still encouraged to sign up for the lab.

Do I have to be MIT-affiliated to participate in DE Lab?
No, we encourage all startups to sign up for DE Lab, regardless of MIT affiliation.

What happens if I no longer have capacity for a student intern?
Please reach out to Janice Lam (janicelk@mit.edu) and Kwang Jun Lee (klee21@mit.edu) to take you off the company list.

Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Please reach out to Janice Lam (janicelk@mit.edu) and Kwang Jun Lee (klee21@mit.edu).

 

 

 

Kickoff: Jan 5, 2023 10am – 11am

Final Presentations: Early Feb, 2023

Deliverables: 5 Slide Presentation and 2 Page Reflection

Credits: 6